2014 brought new jobs, new companies to OKC

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber pursued its goal of increasing the economic success of Oklahoma City by recruiting new companies and assisting with company expansions in 2014. During that time, the Chamber successfully worked on 215 economic development projects, resulting in more than 6,500 new jobs for the region.

"The attractiveness, opportunity and market strength of Oklahoma City and our region make it easy to see why companies move forward with plans to locate and expand here," said Kurt Foreman, executive vice president of economic development for the Chamber. "Oklahoma City's economic vitality and the continued success of area businesses are the results of a critical foundation in place. Few other places have the formula that we have here."

The average wage for the new positions is $59,692 and the capital investment from these companies is in excess of $540 million. New jobs in the area represent expansions of existing companies and the recruitment of new companies. Existing companies continue to bring in the most gains for Oklahoma City. In 2014, the expansion of 163 Oklahoma City-based companies added 4,174 new jobs to the area.

"Our region's existing companies are the backbone of our economic success and rightly so," Foreman said. "Year after year, these employers invest, add jobs and contribute much to the economy."

Read more in The Point!, including news about which companies expanded, upcoming Chamber events, Oklahoma City's new nonstop flight, the Chamber's 2015 public policy priorities and other issues affecting the Greater Oklahoma City area.